AUS holds four international conferences

Leading scholars and experts from around the world came to the American University of Sharjah to participate in four international conferences held by the university during the spring semester.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah and President of AUS, the conferences attracted renowned academics and researchers from North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and Australia and proved to be a resounding success.

More than 300 scientists and scholars from across the globe presented their papers at the First International Conference on Modeling, Simulation and Applied Optimization (ICMSAO) as well as at the Fifth International Conference on Composite Science and Technology (ICCST) held on February 1 at the university. The opening sessions were attended by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi; His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; and senior government officials. The session was addressed by Chancellor Winfred Thompson; Dr. Ibrahim El Sadek, Conference Chair of ICMSAO and Professor of Mathematics at AUS; and Dr. Hany El Kady and Dr. Naser Qaddoumi, Co-Chairs of ICCST.

The two conferences were held in conjunction as there were several areas of overlap between them. The two events also provided an opportunity for scholars from around the world to discuss common areas of research. More than 400 papers were submitted to the conferences.

“His Highness has made clear his desire that AUS be part of the revitalization of the academic and intellectual traditions of the region, and it is my hope that involvement in conferences such as yours will be a significant part of our contribution to this effort and the realization of His Highness' dreams for the American University of Sharjah,” said Dr. Thompson, addressing the delegates.

The First International Conference on Modeling, Simulation and Applied Organization was the first conference of its kind ever to be held. It provided a joint forum where engineers, scientists, mathematicians, and professionals from academia and industry could exchange the latest research ideas in all disciplines of science involving the modeling and simulation of processes and systems. An event of this nature has a regional and local impact as it builds bridges between industry, the community and the high-quality work being done by AUS in this field.

The aim of the Fifth International Conference on Composite Science and Technology was to attract leading scholars from around the world to promote the exchange of information on advances in the development, technology and application of composite materials. These events provided forums to discuss and observe future trends in advanced materials and contribute to the ongoing process in science and technology.

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan also attended the opening of the international scholarly conference “The Social Sciences in the 21st Century: Shifting Boundaries and Paradigms” held on February 6. The conference brought together key theorists in the social sciences from across the world who examined how profound changes occurring around the world today are to be explained. These refigured social relationships necessitate new theories.

The conference, which was also attended by His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi and senior government officials, is the second collaborative effort between AUS and the Sociological Association of the UAE (SA-UAE) and brought together a stellar cast of social scientists from the most eminent institutions of higher education around the world.

This event was hosted by the Journal of Social Affairs, AUS, and the Sociological Association of the UAE. The co-editors of the journal, Dr. Mohammed Al Mutawa, director of the conference on behalf of the SA-UAE, and Dr. Nada Mourtada-Sabbah, director of the conference on behalf of AUS, both expressed their pleasure at the strength and high productivity of this collaborative relationship.

The collaborative AUS-SAUAE venture has also created a groundbreaking new book series, Global Understandings, which is to be published jointly by the University of Paris and the SA-UAE.

His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi inaugurated the International Conference on Landfill Site Remediation held in January.

The event updated environmental scientists and engineers on the latest developments in the technology, organization and implementation of waste dump remediation. It also served as a forum for exchanging information on the remediation of Sharjah's old landfill and related environmental impacts.

This international event featured international experts discussing a wide variety of topics, from environmental protection targets in the emirate of Sharjah and remediation of hazardous waste landfill in Switzerland to landfill mining technology and preparation of landfills and remediation technology.

Along with AUS, the conference was organized by the University of Sharjah and the Environment and Protected Areas Authority of the government of Sharjah. It was sponsored by AUS and Emirates Environmental Technology Co. LLC.